[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 33 (Friday, February 22, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MR. JEFF VAZZANA FOR BEING SELECTED AS A FINALIST FOR THE 
             GOLDEN APPLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

                                 ______
                                 



                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 22, 2019

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Jeff 
Vazzana of Shepard High School for being selected as a finalist for the 
Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Through his devotion to 
his students, Mr. Vazzana prepares and empowers them for a better 
future--a mission deserving of this prestigious recognition.
  The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching was created in 1985 
by Martin and Patricia Koldyke. The Koldykes felt that teachers were 
not receiving adequate recognition for the work they do in their 
classrooms and their communities. This year, 32 finalists from across 
the State of Illinois were selected from a record-setting number of 
over 550 high school teacher nominations across 71 counties. The Golden 
Apple Foundation's mission is to develop and support aspiring teachers 
to be successful in schools-of-need in Illinois.
  Mr. Vazzana teaches English and endeavors to help students gain new 
perspectives. He has worked hard to connect with students beyond the 
traditional academic classroom. These efforts have ranged from inviting 
former graduates to speak about their struggles in high school to 
acting as the school's Drama Director, bringing important topics to the 
forefront of developing adolescent minds.
  As a finalist, Mr. Vazzana is being recognized for his energy, 
enthusiasm, and mastery of the classroom. Madam Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Vazzana. He is well deserving 
of this praise and I am proud to represent such a talented educator.

                          ____________________